Another Great Awakening

Nothing cements "democratic" capitalism's hegemony like a contentious election. "You must vote" is the mantra distributed and recieved across the entire society, insinuating all into an elaborate and dangerous illusion of self-rule. Reporting on the expanded voter turn-out, liberal commentators breathlessly describe a "new democratic awakening". Rather than awakening, I suggest it is a mass hysteria and delusion, followed by euphoria or grief. And that it predictably undermines all the work radicals have been doing the last four years, teaching about capitalism's rationality and methods for reproduction. But here we are, yet again, wondering who will win. What change we will see. Yada yada. The only possible bright spot was Trump invoking the spectre of socialism and exploding open the liberal consensus that has dominated since the Cold War. Particularly pathetic is the universal chant that "BIPOC people must vote" as if, after all the discussion around systemic, structural racism, liberation is a matter of individual action.As if there is some candidate, up or down any ballot, who will describe the structure. As if there is someone who will represent the forces of justice. It is the ritual which reinforces and reproduces the very system which oppresses, and yet it is to the ritual we must submit. It is what unites us, "guides us". Forces identified as Left and Right, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican, will all be out in force to protect the process in their own passionate and dedicated way. Count Every Vote. After all, each one cost an insane amount of money.